Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, December 22 2010:
The process for the filling up of the post of Manipur assembly speaker which has been lying vacant following the untimely demise of Dr Budhichandra Singh has officially ended with the motion for the filing of nomination expiring early today.
According to news received from the assembly secretariat, only two Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), Irengbam Hemochandra and Laishram Nandakumar, have filed the notice of motion to the assembly secretary today morning at around 10am.Hemochandra has received 17 proposal and 34 seconded in 3 sets of notices of motion for election of the speaker.
Notably, he was supported by members of the assembly from Indian National Congress (INC), Manipur Peoples' Party (MPP), Rastriya Janata Dal (RJD), National Peoples' Party (NPP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), IND.
L Nabakumar on the other hand was proposed by Ph Parijat and seconded by Dr H Borajao.
Reacting to why no candidate was fielded from the Opposition side, Senior Opposition leader O Joy said that he was unaware as of now which all party have fielded candidates for the post of the assembly speaker, and that the ruling party has strong numerical presence in the house to be able to sweep the poll for the seat.
With the last day for the nomination ending at noon today, it all comes down to a political slugfest between Hemochandra, an MLA from Singjamei constituency, and Nandakumar, an MLA from Uripok constituency, both incidentally from the Congress party, to the seat of the Manipur assembly speaker.
The result is expected to be declared after the polling in the assembly house tomorrow.